CNC VACUUM PUMPS, pg2

Now if you have gone through the various questions on the previous page to determine what might be the right vacuum pump for your CNC router application, then you would have identified two things:

• Vacuum Level:
  
  This is typically measured in inches of Mercury * .5 = PSI (pounds per square inch) = the amount of power you're going to get to hold down your work once the vacuum has been engaged.
• Vacuum Flow:
  
  Flow measures the VOLUME of air pulled in by the pump.
  
  Open Flow = maximum flow capacity of vacuum pump with no restrictions. Measured in cubic feet per minute.
  
  Specific Flow = the level of air that can be drawn by the pump at a specific level of vacuum, usually a pump's optimized Vacuum Level. Measured in SCFM.
  
  This is the relevant number you are looking for ... SCFM = volume of air it can draw at a specific deliverable PSI.. this is what you get to work with in the real world.

Each pump has what is called a performance curve that shows you what a particular pump can deliver in CFM at any particular vacuum level. Some types of pumps are designed more for volume and some for creating maximum vacuum level.

But here's a few other things that you might not think about in CNC vacuum pump selection:

• Power Source, 3 phase or single, voltage, amps
  
  Do you have what it needs or do $$'s need to be set aside for the electrician.
• Hp rating:
  
  This will determine its performance relationship between a CNC vacuum pump's CFM & "Hg.
• Noise Level:
  
  Large vacuum blowers for flow through systems are VERY noisy! If this CNC vacuum pump is going to be installed in your basement you may want to reconsider, or maybe buy two smaller vacuum pumps so you're only drowning out the TV half the time.
• Maintenance Requirements
  
  This is all about time and money.. especially if it goes through a lot of oil. Waste oil is getting progressively harder to dispose of, so less consumption is better.
• and of course COST
  
  Have you won the Lottery today :)

 

Now let me give you an idea on the various types of CNC vacuum pumps that you might come across in your research. >>